Mancini Talks Down Possible Mateo Kovacic Move

Interesting comments from Inter manager Roberto Mancini that midfielder Mateo Kovacic will stay at the club, despite near constant rumors suggesting that he is on the verge of a move to Liverpool.

Kovacic had been reported to be one of Brendan Rodgers top targets this summer and Italian and Croatian media outlets have even gone as far to report that personal terms between the player and Liverpool had been agreed, too.

However, Roberto Mancini has poured cold waters on the rumors, firmly stating that Mateo Kovacic is seen as the future star of the Serie A team.

“He’ll become a champion,” Mancini predicted, when asked about Mateo Kovacic on Sky Italia.

“Of course, he’s still lacking some things, but he’s improved a lot, and I think that’s showed.”

Media reports suggest that Liverpool have had a €21 million offer turned down by Inter, who are holding out for something closer to €25 million.

But the Mancini comments suggest that is not the case, unless this is a negotiating ploy by Mancini. The bottom line is that Inter need to sell before Mancini can start to rebuild what is a poor Inter squad, Kovacic is the most valuable asset that the club has, now that Icardi has signed a new deal.

It makes sense that they will sell him, and if Liverpool come back with a bid if €25 million I expect to see the Croatian midfielder move to the Premier League.